MARTARA'S PLEASING WIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 56, 8 March 1937, Page 13

MARTARA'S PLEASING WIN

Martara must have gratified his fondest admirers in the manner in which he accounted for his opponents in the Rangitikei Cup. His usual rider, G. K. Tattersall, succeeded in holding him in check while Plato was making the early running, but when he let him have rein about three furlongs out it was short time before he was ranging up alongside Round Score, and in the straight he went facilely to the front and won easily by over a length from Lapel. The opposition may not have been high class, but Martara could hardly have been more impressive. He was not the least troubled by his 9.5, including over two stone dead weight, and he apparently could have gone to the front at any stage. Several three-year-olds have previously won the Rangitikei Cup, but the best performance before Saturday's had been Lady Desmond's success under 7.13 in 2min 9sec, nearly a second faster than Martara's time, which the chestnut could have reduced if he had been sent on a time-making mission.

Martara has now won his last four races in line, two at Wellington and the Taranaki and Rangitikei Cups, and he will have his next opportunity in the St. Leger Stakes on Thursday, in which he will finally meet Wild Chase, winner of the Dunedin Cup and Hazlett Gold Cup at his most recent starts. Lapel came home resolutely from the rear to cut Round Sco.re out of second by nearly a neck, but'he offered the winner no menace. Lapel is an improver who is due for a win at any time now, and perhaps his turn will come in one of the valuable Easter stakes, such as the Feilding Cup.

Round Score moved up fast into second place behind Plato at the five furlongs, deposing Grand Jury and Martara, and he assumed charge as they were swinging into the straight, but he was then found wanting when required to withstand a couple of challengers. "Ingenuity occupied a gap of her own in fourth place, with Plato, Grand Jury, and Waipiro some lengths away in a heap. Plato and Grand Jury were both in trouble before the field reached the straight.